Shamrock Stables Still Without New Home

Looks like Shamrock Stables days are numbered. The city is reportedly moving ahead with a plan that would shut down the 45th Street carriage horse stable. According to the NY Times, in June the city will start construction on a housing development, a new school, and stores in the area. This will leave 1/4 of the city's carriage horses without a home.

The owners of Shamrock have known for some time that the area would be developed, and last year filed an extension to stay through May. Owner Ian McKeever, in a press conference held yesterday to gain financial support from the city, says: “We hold New York’s most precious commodity in the palm of our hand—and that’s the tourist. Compassion is what I am looking for in these economic times.” The city has been leasing the stable to Shamrock for $5,000/month, and McKeever believes a comparable stable would cost $60,000/month to rent.

While McKeever has yet to find a new home for his business, some of his tenants have already found other homes for their horses. The remaining could fit in some of the other privately operated stables, but McKeever says there aren't enough stalls to accommodate them in case a horse gets sick. Will this be the fade out of the carriage horse industry?

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By Jen Carlson in News on May 19, 2010 1:51 PM

Comments [rss]

Rina Deych

The carriage horse industry is an abomination and must be abolished. NY CLASS has proposed introducing antique electric cars in their place and retiring the horses to sanctuaries, where they can live out their lives in peace, with dignity.

olegraymare

So on this Location the city is going to construct A School, Shopping And A Housing Project? Dam they are good! And the ever so fine people of N.Y.C thinks this is great? Not gonna happen folks! The city has a developer that is wanting to put in high dollar condos! And for the people who think 5 grand is cheap. READ the rest of the lease agreement! THE CITY HAS NO FINANCIAL OUTPUT on the Stable property! The Stable is responsible for ALL COST concerning repairs and taxes! Do you pay this where you RENT ? HELL NO! So people get your heads out of your buts and LOOK AT WHATS REALLY GOING ON!!!! As far as the smell of the horse manure, Geisha with how bad New York City smells it is a improvement!!!!!!

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

$5,000? WTH, now I understand why the city has no money with all these nepotism and back door dealings. They need to close down all the stables and stop this cruelty

hanbush

awww, i thought for a second this was about the shamrock shake. not cool gothamist...

zizi

I'm about to take out my violin! Let's all pass around the hat for these "poor" carriage horse abusers who have been ripping off the public for years and can now legally soak the tourists for $50 for a 20 minute ride! "Compassion", are they kidding? Where's the compassion for the poor equine slaves dragging those carriages around in bloody hot/cold weather? And to think that they have been able to get away with leasing all that space from the city for $5,000/mo!!! A tiny, cubby hole apt.costs almost that much! Who's their "friend" in City Hall?

Snoopy

A housing development? I think if I lived in the neighborhood I would prefer the smell of horse shit rather than the shit the housing development will produce.